Dodge City, KS – A historic stretch of warmth has just reset the record books in southwest Kansas, with Dodge City logging its warmest December through March period ever recorded.
According to the National Weather Service in Dodge City, the average high temperature reached 58.9 degrees this season, surpassing the previous record of 54 degrees set in the mid-1970s by nearly five degrees. The data, which dates back to the 1870s, shows this winter far exceeded typical averages near 48 degrees.
The prolonged warmth was consistent across much of southwest Kansas, impacting cities like Garden City, Liberal, and Hays, where residents experienced fewer cold snaps and reduced snowfall compared to normal winters. This trend has influenced agriculture, soil conditions, and early spring growth cycles across the region.
Meteorologists note that such a large jump above the previous record is significant, highlighting an unusually persistent pattern of mild air dominating the central Plains through the winter months.
While warmer conditions have eased heating demand and travel disruptions, they also raise concerns about drought development and increased fire risk heading into spring.
More climate updates are expected in the coming weeks as seasonal trends continue to evolve across Kansas.
